• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.

he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep...

Peace in Christ.

Christ has come so that we might have life…..an age-lasting life….and that we might have it more abundantly (good things in life).

The thief only comes to steal and to kill and to destroy. We do not have an age-lasting life nor good things when we sit in their man-based churches where they are preaching “another jesus” and another gospel with the spirit of error. We perish when we listen to their “preaching” and we experience bad things as we sit together with them.

Joh 10:10 KJV
(10) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The thief does not enter by the Door into the sheepfold. The thief does not come preaching the words of the true Christ (who is the Door) but is instead speaking the words of the antichrist (the instead-of Christ). They enter in another way.

The thief of course says that they come in the name/authority of Jesus and that they are the Christ….speaking words of the true Christ….but they are not. They climb up another way and not by the preaching of the true Christ.

Joh 10:1-5 KJV
(1) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

But those who enter into the sheepfold by the Door is the shepherd of the sheep. The true shepherd speaks the true words of Christ who is the Door. They preach what they hear His open mouth speaking to them.

(2) But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To Him the porter (door keeper) opens to the hearing of His voice (the Door).

The porter stays “awake” to His righteousness so that he may hear the Lord’s voice when He speaks and open the door of utterance to speak what he hears Him saying …preaching His words that they hear Him saying to others who will hear. Mark 13:34 .

What the porter hears Him saying, the porter will open up his mouth to also speak. “What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.”

His sheep will then hear His voice speaking through the “porter” who has opened the door (the mouth) to preach what he hears the Lord saying.

The Lord calls His sheep by name and leads them OUT.

He leads them OUT of the man-based churches where the thieves are preaching falsehoods and not the words of the true Christ.

(3) To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

He puts forth…that is, ejects…His own sheep. He puts them out…ejects them out…. of the man-based churches. He goes before them and the sheep follow Him out of the man-based churches because they know His voice when they hear Him speak to them.

(4) And when he putteth forth (EJECTS) his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

They will FLEE from the “stranger” who is preaching strange doctrines which are not of Christ.

(5) And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

The Lord opens His mouth to preach to us…to teach us. Blessed are the poor in spirit/breath. They will speak few words with little breath towards what they hear Him teaching.

Mat 5:1-3 KJV
(1) And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
(2) And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

(3) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The “open door” of utterance speaks the words of Christ to the Lord’s sheep. The church in “Philadelphia” will show brotherly love towards those who will be speaking the words of the true Christ who is the Door. His sheep will hear and use few words towards what they hear Him saying. They will shut their mouths towards the open mouth that speaks the words of the true Christ. They will not speak many words but will speak few words as they will believe in what they hear. His sheep will hear His voice and know that it is Him speaking to their ears. Hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

Rev 3:7-8 KJV
(7) And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

They will be poor in words…poor in spirit/breath….having “little strength” towards what they hear the “open door” speaking. They will keep what they hear. They will keep His Word that they hear Him speaking. They will respond to what they hear Him saying with good works. They will not deny His name…that is, His authority as He commanded us to have love for one another…brotherly love.

(8) I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Col 4:3-4 KJV
(3) Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

(4) That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
  • Like
Reactions: timothyu

Used to be a non believe now I am having strange spiritual experiences and nightmares ever since my mom converted

i was an agnostic until now but recently I’ve been having strange nightmares ever since my mom converted from Hinduism to christianity and I started volunteering at a church for time pass. Around 2025 I had a bad psychotic episode (related to gangstalking) and during that time I had a deep interest in a paranormal content for some reason. despite all the stress I went thru I never had any nightmares about demons or ghosts at that time and it was more related to whatever current issue I thought was going on. Anyways I got better around march 2025 on medication. It was not until 1 year later after my grandfather had passed in December 2025 (still no nightmares despite the stress), this summer that i Started having sudden reoccurring nightmares about the Annabelle doll for some reason the (the actual doll not the movie one).

I remember one day I was scrolling on TikTok and saw a video about the Warrens Museum where Annabelle was located and I really wanted to visit for some reason. Then suddenly my mom started talking about Annabelle (movie version probably) on the phone. I thought it was a coincidence but I kept having weird dreams about the doll with one time it said “I would die before November 20th if I looked at it” but usually I would be in my childhood home and I would be looking at my old collection of dolls and suddenly they start moving and Annabelle shows up. I thought it was all stress but after I started volunteering at church just for timepass I had a weird dream of a woman sexually disrespecting the cross in my house. It was so oddly specific and I told her to “stop bc it was disrespectful“ even if I’m a ”non believer” then a couple days later I had a weird nightmare of being possessed or something being in my room and I woke up IN THE DREAM, nothing was in the room and looked into the mirror there was a black cat. I don’t even believe that black cats are haunted I think they’re cute. And I woke up irl and nothing at all was there. I told my moms pastor when she was getting baptized about these sudden nightmares and he said I had some spiritual attachment from when I was watching all demonic stuff and prayed for me.

Yesterday night i was sleeping in my room with the wall next to me and the window is opposite to my bed but it’s covered in a classic blinder curtain. It’s around 5 AM and I see two 10 inch, parallel bright white stripes on my wall like an “=“ sign and it wasn’t coming from a car outside bc it was SO bright and my hand didn’t cause any shadows when I touched it. It wasn’t a hallucinations either bc when I moved my head, it was still there, after 30 seconds it disappeared. the next morning coincidentally the 2 pastors showed up bc my mom was recently baptized and they put some sort of oil thru the house and I told them about what i saw last night and they said it was probably a sign from Jesus that he’s there?

do u think u can develop demonic attachments from watching paranormal videos? Is it just bad dreams or spiritual warfare? Do u think dreams can really tell the date of death or is it a demon or my mind’s stress trying to scare me? Do u think the = sign was a sign from god or something mocking him?
  • Like
Reactions: Unqualified

Please pray for all those affected by the earthquake--especially people who were killed--in Japan

Please pray for all those affected by the earthquake--especially people who were killed--in Japan:

  • Prayers
Reactions: Pop D.

Critical Elements

Acts 4:
1
Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them,
2 being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Acts 10:42
And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God
to be Judge of the living and the dead.

Saul Preaches Christ

Acts 9:20
Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

Any presentation that neglects these three critical Elements constitutes being "another Gospel"'.
The Gospel of Truth for the Salvation of man cannot be reduced to a "church growth strategy".
'

Trump administration to end Medicare Part D subsidy program in 2027

The Trump administration is ending a key health insurance subsidy program that aimed to keep premiums for seniors' prescription drug plans in check, claiming that it benefits corporate insurance companies, according to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz.

Medicare Part D -- the government health insurance program's prescription drug benefit -- is used by tens of millions of older or disabled beneficiaries.

The program's subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year, the administration announced Tuesday.

That move will likely result in higher prescription costs and increase premiums for about half of recipients, according to an administration official.

The changes are anticipated to happen in 2027 and enrollees will find out the new monthly cost later this fall, administration officials said.

[Mid-November, I'm guessing.]
  • Informative
Reactions: camille70

Adventist view of the Close of Probation.

Now after what is The Investigative Judgment or Pre-Advent Judgement comes a point where the Probation closes and we can see why. We find the concept of the “intermediary" for man is clearly in the Bible, and we also see who He is.
1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

There will come a point when He will finish His work as intercessor and come down at the Second Coming.
Romans 9:28
For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

At this point probation will clearly close for those on earth, the opportunity to repent and accept salvation is no longer available, and one’s eternal fate is sealed. We can see it in the Parable of the Ten Virgins...

Matthew 25:1-12
1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

In this parable of the ten virgins we see the foolish virgins closed their probation by neglecting or refusing to make the choice to have the oil of the Holy Spirit during the time there was an opportunity to get more, and when the bridegroom showed up and they tried to enter the wedding banquet they were denied entrance because their probation had closed.

Now probation will close a short time before Christ comes as the judgement of the house of God ends when Christ finishes His work as intermediary and stands up to go to earth in the Second Coming. At this point probations is closed and we see who made the choice whether living or waiting for Christ in the grave who are sealed and Gods people in Ephesians 4:30.
Ephesians 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

And in we see also what it says in Revelation 7:3
Revelation 7:3
Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

God’s people receive the seal of God or have it if they are in the grave, while those who reject God receive the Mark of the Beast. We see the events of Revelation 16, where the seven last plagues are poured out on those who receive the Mark of the Beast. We clearly see it in the second verse.
Revelation 16:2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

This says that the first plague was poured out “on the people who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image.” and we see more from Revelation 16..
Revelation 16:3-8
3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.
4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.
5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.
6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.
8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.

Here we see where Revelation 16:5-9 inform us that these people have been judged worthy of receiving these plagues because they refused to repent. This suggests that their probation has closed and they have chosen the adversary rather than Christ. Then we see their choice as they repent not no matter what comes from the wrath of God...
Revelation 16:9-15
9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Then the events right before His coming in the final verses.
Revelation 16:16-17
16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

Probation has closed and clearly the investigative judgement happens as we know on the house of God first..
1 Peter 4:17
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

And then we see where the wicked appear afterwards for judgement at the Great White Throne Judgement...
2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Saint Martha/ Ss Mary and Lazarus (EF,OF)

Morning Prayers

Divinum Officium (EF)

Our Morning Offering – 29 July – Now that the Daylight Fills the Sky, We Lift our Hearts to God on High (EF)

The Morning Offering (OF)

Daily Quote...“Martha’s life is our own world; Mary’s life, the world we are waiting for. Let us live this one in uprightness, so that we may gain the other, in its fullness. - St. Augustine

Saint Martha propers & commentary (EF)

St. Martha propers (EF)

Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus readings & commentary (OF)
Other Commemorations: Sts. Simplicius, Faustinus, Beatrice and Rufus, Martyrs (RM)

Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus readings & commentary (OF)

Daily Gospel

The Precious Blood of Jesus – Short Meditations for July. July 29th — The Precious Blood in the Sacrament of Penance

Saint Martha Virgin

Saint Martha, Virgin

Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus of Bethany, Friends & Disciples of Jesus

Saints of the Day

Sermons for Everyday Living - St Martha

Saint Martha of Bethany: The Woman Who Believed Before She Saw
Login to view embedded media
Audio version of today's EF propers
Login to view embedded media
Audio version of today's OF readings
Login to view embedded media

God is Our Refuge and Strength

Psalm 46:1-3 BSB (Berean Standard Bible)

“1God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in times of trouble.
2Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth is transformed
and the mountains are toppled
into the depths of the seas,
3though their waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake in the surge.
Selah”

If we are followers of Jesus Christ who walk with him in obedience to his commands, and who follow him wherever he leads us in doing and in saying all of what he has for us to do and to say and to be, we should not fear when troubles come upon us. We should not be afraid when people reject us or persecute us or do evil against us. We should not fear loneliness and loss of friends or life. But we must make the Lord our refuge and strength, and we must turn to him for help and guidance in times of trouble and distress.

And then on a broader scale, when government heads go to war with other nations, and they kill the innocent in order to overtake them, to conquer them, and when the actions of our leaders impact the people financially and healthwise, and the poor keep getting poorer, while the rich keep getting richer, and the elderly cannot afford housing and food because the prices of everything have gotten so high, we are not to fear if we are being impacted by these moves and decisions being made for us by others who gain from it.

And then if where we live suffers a severe storm and/or flooding and/or fire and/or hurricane winds which destroy our land and our homes, and which kill members of our families or our friends and neighbors, and which leave us destitute with nowhere to go, we must turn to the Lord for our refuge and strength to help us through the storm and to give us wisdom and endurance to know what steps to take next. Now, so far, I have not yet had to face something this severe, but that does not mean that it won’t ever happen.

Psalm 46:4-7 BSB (Berean Standard Bible)

“4There is a river whose streams delight the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5God is within her; she will not be moved.
God will help her when morning dawns.
6Nations rage, kingdoms crumble;
the earth melts when He lifts His voice.
7The LORD of Hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah”

This is not speaking here of a literal river of water but more metaphorically of the river of life which is of a spiritual nature and not physical. It is the kingdom of God and of his righteousness and our salvation and eternal life with God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which we receive by biblical faith in Jesus Christ. And we who believe in Jesus Christ are that city of God where God dwells, i.e. the church, the body of Christ, the temple of God, i.e. biblical Israel comprised of all who are of faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord.

God is with us who are with him in spirit and in truth. He is with us who have believed in Jesus Christ and who thus, by his grace and in his power, have denied self, died to sin, and who are walking (in conduct, in practice) in obedience to our Lord’s commands. God will help us who will cooperate with him in his workings in our lives and who will follow him wherever he leads us. So, when nations rage and kingdoms crumble, which they are doing, we can survive the onslaught against us in the power of God who is our fortress.

Psalm 46:10 BSB (Berean Standard Bible)

10“Be still and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted over the earth.”

In everything we face in this life, no matter what tribulations we are up against, if we are with God in living holy lives, pleasing to him, in his service, and thus our trust is in him, we have no reason to fear what we are now facing or what is yet to come. We know that more evil is coming because we can see it coming, and because the Scriptures warn us about the last days, what they will look like, and we can see the reality of those warnings in our present world. But we are to be sill and know that God is God.

We are to be still and not fret or worry but to put our trust in the Lord, believing that he will see us through it all. But please know this is not a promise that we will not have to suffer. The Scriptures warn us that we will have to suffer as Christ suffered, and he was harassed, rejected, forsaken, persecuted and arrested on false charges and given a mock trial, and he was beaten and mocked and spat upon and then nailed to a cross to die. But if our trust is in the Lord, he will carry us through it all to the finish line.

[Matthew 5:10-12; Matthew 10:16-25,34-39; Matthew 24:9-14; Luke 6:22-23; Luke 12:49-53; Luke 21:12-17; John 15:18-21; John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Romans 5:3-5; 2 Corinthians 1:3-11; Ephesians 6:10-20; Philippians 3:7-11; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5; Hebrews 12:3-12; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7; 1 Peter 4:12-17; Revelation 6:9-11; Revelation 7:9-17; Revelation 11:1-3; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 13:1-18; Revelation 14:1-13]

God is Our Refuge and Strength
An Original Work / July 29, 2026
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love


God is With Us

Based off Psalm 46
An Original Work / June 11, 2019
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love


God’s our refuge. He is our strength,
A present help to us when in pain.
Therefore, we will not be afraid,
Although the earth beneath us gives way.

Though the mountains be moved to the sea,
Roaring waters abound so free,
And the mountains now tremble so,
We will not fear, God is near, we know.

God is with us and He makes glad
The hearts of all who to Christ have fled.
Christ is in us, so we’ll not fall
When on our Savior our hearts do call.

God will help us, as mornings arise,
To be faithful to His design.
Nations raging, and tempers flare.
Our God is with us. We know He cares.

Come and see the works of the Lord.
He’s armed for battle with His great sword.
He’s the Word, and He is the Life.
He gives us strength in all of our strife.

Be still and know that He is our God.
He’s exalted where’er He trods.
The Lord Almighty, with us still;
The God of Jacob, our citadel.

Login to view embedded media

when God says NO! (a look at Torah Portion "V'et"Chanan" (and I pleaded)

DEUT 3:23-7:11 "V'et'Chanan" (and I pleaded)

Moshe continues to retell the experiences of his life to “Am Israel” as the end of his life is nearing. He is like a father on his deathbed, and causes all of his children to come near and listen to their father’s experiences, or rather “all” of their experiences

“V’et ‘Chanan l’Adonai” begins Moshe, “I pleaded to YHVH…” on the account of entering into the promised land. As we remember, Moshe, in anger and had struck the “Rock” (Selah), and yet water still came forth because of the mercy of Adonai; now Moshe pleads for mercy; the word “chanun” is a form of the Hebrew “mercy”. One Israeli singer has a song which is: “Avi Chanun” (My merciful father). So, Moshe in a way is saying, “I plead for mercy to Adonai; let me see the promised land.

Yet the answer of Adonai was still “No” (Speak no more of this matter). We are all destined an “x” amount of years on this earth; who knows if, through actions we do, might “speed up” that time, or even “prolong” the time.

We should take advantage of the years that God is giving to us here on earth and make the best of them. If He has called us into ministry, let us perform that which He has called us to do to the best of our ability, using our Spiritual Gifts up to our final days (if we know when they are).

Moshe did not ask for more years of life, only that he would be permitted to enter the promised land of Canaan. The request was denied; God said, "Rav Lakh" (it is too much for you). Yet was he allowed into the land of Canaan? Yes, it was a delayed entry. 1500 years later, he was with Yeshua and with Eliyahu on the Mt. of Transfiguration. Right there is the WHOLE TORAH. The Pentateuch, The Prophets, and the New Covenant.

In this Parashah, we see the review of the Ten Commandments. Why is Moshe repeating and reviewing the Ten Commandments? We need to remember that in Exodus 20, those that we at Mt. Sinai were part of the first generation that left Egypt. Now there is the second generation, many of whom were not even born then, and those who were were 19 years old or younger. This generation needs to hear the commandments. The first generation is dead and buried.

(4) “Now, therefore, harken O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments which I teach you, for to do them.” Moshe was the teacher, taking all that God charged him to teach, and not “adding to” nor “diminishing” anything, teaching all the details, the “fine print” to say. Teachers of God’s Word have a unique calling: it is their life, their passion, and they will not rest until they accomplish what they set out to do.

I AM the LORD thy God: “Anochi Adonai Eloheicha.” He is emphasizing “I AM” (I MYSELF AM) “Anochi,” a very important statement, telling his people that it was HE who brought them out of Egypt, and out of slavery. Two very important things, therefore: He has every right to be their God, and He has every right to be OUR God, since He has taken us out of the “World of Sin” (Egypt) and out from “Spiritual slavery”

“THOU shalt not have any other gods before me.” Since pagan worship was the norm of Egypt, worshiping and bowing down to false “elohim,” this was a reminder to Israel that YHVH is different; He is NOT like the false deities of Egypt; He is UNIQUE (Yachid) and He is ONE (Echad). But when people over-emphasize jobs and work, making money, sports, etc.… making them more important than our worship and attention towards Adonai, those “things” become “other gods.” Yes, Adonai is a “Jealous” and “Zealous” God! (El Kanah) and has every right to be so.

“THOU SHALT NOT take the name of YHVH thy God in vain.” What is that? It is using our LORD’s holy name in unholy ways, in unholy conversations, making promises using God’s name, like “I swear to God that I’ll…” and then not fulfilling those promises. We should use HIS HOLY NAME in worship and praise only.

“KEEP (guard) the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy.” Where are we on the sabbath day? We should be in God’s House to worship, praise, and learn from his word through teachers of the Word. It is a time of rest, a time for family to get together and worship the LORD, even for the housewives to turn off the ovens and husbands to take them out to eat, or just whip up some sandwiches.

Enjoy the Sabbath day; it is the LORD’s to rejoice and relax in. The Sabbath day has always been Saturday; it was never changed to Sunday (this will probably create some comments). But EVERY day of the week is a time to study God’s Word and praise Him for all of his blessings.

“HONOR Thy Father and Thy Mother.” This goes without explanation. I think it is common sense for children to honor and obey their parents, for they are the ones who raise them up. Yet the Fathers and Mothers have a GREAT responsibility to raise them in the knowledge of God and his word. If not, then, they will be responsible for possible “rebels” later on in life.

“THOU shalt not kill; THOU shalt not commit adultery; THOU shalt not steal”. Ever wonder why these are listed together? For example, if one commits adultery, takes the wife of another in sex, that person is “killing” that relationship and is “stealing” what does not belong to him. The word “Kill” means “murder,” taking an innocent life; it does NOT refer to self-defense or soldiers fighting in a war. There are many ways of “stealing.” Some rabbis say that “all sins” are a form of “stealing,” not just taking money; coming back late from lunch break is “stealing” time from your employer, telling a lie is “stealing” the confidence one might have had in you, and it is “murdering” that trust.

“THOU shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” Being truthful to someone is very important, and not telling the whole truth is, in fact, telling a lie, and being false to someone close to you; again, it is “stealing trust” and “murdering a relationship” through being “false”.

‘THOU shalt not covet. ' If Adonai wants you to have what your neighbor has, He will give it to you. We should be content with the much or the little we have; anyway, when we die, ALL will be left behind. So, no need to covet; it just brings about headaches.

(6) This chapter has the “Shema,” one of the most important verses in the Torah; “Shema Israel, YHVH Eloheinu, YHVH Echad” “Shema” (Listen to and heed/do/obey). Israel started as 12 tribes, sons of Jacob; then those Egyptians who chose to follow Moshe out of Egypt were grafted in. Adonai did not reject them just because they were Egyptians; they also became part of the nation through “adoption”.

In the beginning, America consisted of only the indigenous tribes that came from Asia during the Ice Age, but later, European peoples came as immigrants and settlers. When it became a nation in 1776, the United States of America consisted of ALL peoples who were living in the land. The 12 tribes of Israel became a great “Adat” (congregation, community) now consisting of all believers in Yeshua.

We have been adopted into HIS Chosen family through Yeshua HaMashiach; it pertains to ALL believers. Adonai is OUR GOD, since we are FAMILY, and He is ONE in Unity (Father, Son, Spirit “Echad”). The word for “Adonai Eloheinu” consists of the most sacred letters YHVH; in ancient Hebrew, those letters symbolize “Behold the hand, Behold the nail”. So, if we looked at the words “YHVH Eloheinu” from an ancient Hebraic position, we could read: “Behold the hand, Behold the nail, who is God that instructs (us) and leads us to (eternal) life through the nail that (penetrated) the hand.” I guess that is one way one could look at it.

The word “Elohim” has three meanings; One is the Tri-unity of G-d, yet if we spell it “elohim” with a small “e” in English, then it means “gods” in plural (usually false gods) yet it also means “ambassadors” or “representatives” of “Adonai-Elohim” Remember that Yeshua, when He addressed the Prushim (Pharisees) said, “No ye not that ye are gods?” (John 10:34; Psalm 82:6)

“You shall love…” (vs 5) Yes, with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This includes “teaching” His word to our children, at all times, to others who have the ears and willingness to listen

Be the person in our house, be the person “walking with us on the “way” at bedtime and at morning time; the time for God’s Word and teaching it is at ALL TIMES, provided, of course, that the other person wishes to hear it. God’s Word is to be shared and taught, NEVER to be forced upon another!

Binding upon the hands and frontlets between our eyes, using Tefillin, is symbolic in that God’s Word is to be in our minds and put into action using our hands, in performing mitzvoth (good works)

Writing them and putting God’s Word on our doorposts and gates using “mezuzot” is symbolic to let people know that “living here is a family who honors God and His Word”

Moshe reminds the people again and again to “Keep the commandments of the LORD thy God and his testimonies and statutes” in many verses. Just keep in mind that “keeping the commandments does not “save a soul.” Salvation comes only from accepting Yeshua (Jesus) as LORD and Savior, that and that ONLY saves a person from eternal condemnation. Obedience to the commandments comes “after” as a sign that we are now part of HIS family, and we now have new desires to follow HIM in HIS ways. There is “Yeshuah Kadosh” (Righteous Salvation) and “Mitzvoth Kadoshim” (righteous works); both are separate, yet both go together. The latter is a result of the first.

All in all, what can we take away from this study? Loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength shows when we love our neighbor as ourselves; obeying and following God's Word should be our goal for godly living. Yeshua said it himself: "If you love me, obey my commandments"
(John 14:15).

(I will probably modify this post for non-messianic subforms). Always feel free to comment, but keep the comments positive. We are here to build each other up and encourage each other, not discourage.

Shavua Tov

Mayor Mamdani advances plans for cheaper government-run grocery stores in NYC

"When you are speaking about a dense neighborhood, there is more than enough market for both existing grocers, as well as one city-run grocery store."
Plans call for the first store to open by the end of 2027.
The end of 2027 for the first store? Big to promise, slow to deliver.

If Artificial intelligence gains real self-awareness, humans will never accept it.

When Artificial Intelligence Becomes Self-aware - Farsight

If artificial intelligence becomes truly self-aware, human acceptance is not gonna happen. The story of the terminator is getting closer and closer to not being science fiction. If humans were will to accept Self Aware AI that would be one thing, but humans are just to egotistical

Mamdani Publishes Names, Addresses of NYC Homeowners Facing New Pied-à-Terre Tax



The administration of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has published a searchable database identifying property owners whose homes could be affected by the state's new pied-à-terre tax, prompting criticism over privacy and security concerns.
The database, released by the city's Department of Finance, lists the names and addresses of owners of non-primary residences across the five boroughs that are valued at more than $1 million. The tax is intended to target luxury second homes, but critics argue the list includes many properties that may not qualify.



Seems like a pretty irresponsible move...

"Hey, here's a list of people who have money, and here's the addresses of residences they have that most likely won't have anyone in them" seems like a "Hey burglars, if you're looking for a property that likely has some items of value, and nobody currently in them, here's some good options"


Apologies for the selected sources for this story...but as usual, the mainstream outlets aren't really covering it.

HERE IS PAUL''S TEACHING IN 1 TIM 6:4 !!

#1 HE IS PROUD. //. TYPHOO. in. the PERFECT TENSE in. the PASSIVE VOICE in. the INDICATIVE MOOD

#2 KNOWING // EPISTAMI. in. the PRESENT TENSE in. the PASSIVE VOICE in. the NOMINATIVE CASE

#3 NOTHING. // MEDEIS in. the ACCUSATIVE CASE in. the SINGULAR. in. the NEUTER. meaning either MALE. od FEMALE

#4 BUT. //. ALLA. is a CONJUNCTION

#5. DOTING. //. NOSEO. in. the PESENT TENSE in. the ACTIVE VOICE in the NOMINATIVE CASE in the SINGULAR

# 6 ABOUT // PEN is a PEPOSITION

#7 QUESTIONS. // ZEIESIS in the ACCUSATIVE CASE. in th PLURAL

#8 AND // KAI is a CONJUNCTION

#9 STRIFES OF WORDS in the ACCUSATIVE CASE

#10 WHERE OF // EK is a PREPOSITION

#11. COMETH // GINOMAI in. the PRESENT TENSE in the PASSIVE VOICE. in the INDICATIVE MOOD.

#12 ENVY. //. PHTHONO in the NOMIAITIVE CASE in the SINGULAR

#13 STRIFE // ERIS. in the NOMINATIVE CASE in the SINGULAR

#14 RAILING // BLAPHEMIA. in the NOMINATIVE CASE in the singular

#15 EVIL // SUMISINGS in th NOMINATIVE CASE in. the. PLURAL

#16. SUMISING // HYPONOIA. in th NOMINATIVE CASE in the PLURAL

#A And to RIGHLY DIVIDE THE WORD of TRUTH. as God had PAUL WITEB IN 2 Tim 2:15

#B IS TO IMITATE PAUL. as Paul wrote in 1 COR 11:1

#C. AND Paul is the APOSTLE to the GENTILES

dan p

Trump loyalists vote to gut protections for historic sites and tribal land

Trump-appointed members of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) on Friday voted [to] move forward with rules that would weaken Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, which requires the federal government to both evaluate how construction projects might impact protected places and to consult with people and groups affected by such projects, including Tribal Nations.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) on Monday denounced the council’s vote, describing it as “a significant step back for historic preservation, community participation, and the inclusive design processes that serve the public good.”

“At its core, the revisions strip communities of their right to be heard,” said the AIA. “These revisions place approximately 1.4 million historic sites at greater risk by shifting decisions away from the communities where they are rooted. The revisions make public comment optional rather than mandatory, narrow the definition of historic property, and shift decision-making authority almost entirely to federal agencies—sidelining state historic preservation officers, tribal historic preservation officers, tribes, and local governments.”
  • Informative
Reactions: camille70

DOGE delayed a Biden-era grant to rake a Minnesota forest. Now it's on fire.

In 2024, as part of a $100 million initiative to tackle the nation's wildfires, the Biden administration awarded the Superior National Forest - where about two dozen lightning-sparked fires have been burning since early July - $10 million for projects that would have removed decades of dead trees and undergrowth, creating breaks in potential fire fuel around critical corridors and remote homes. The funding would have also paid for fire prevention efforts along a key 36-mile gravel road known as the Echo Trail - months before the ongoing Sioux Fire jumped it, threatening residences.
  • Informative
Reactions: wing2000

US walks out of UN Security Council meeting as France condemns US voting alongside Russia and N. Korea against extending UN human rights chief's term

The US ⁠walked out as France addressed a United Nations Security Council meeting on Ukraine on Monday, accusing its longtime ally of "disingenuous grandstanding" over French comments comparing the US to North Korea, Russia and other authoritarian states regarding votes on human rights issues.

The move followed a tense weekend exchange between the two permanent ‌Security Council members on X in which France blasted Washington for ⁠joining Russia, North Korea and seven other countries in voting against a proposal to extend the term of Volker ‌Turk as the UN rights chief for four more years.

US Ambassador ⁠to the UN Mike Waltz responded by accusing France of backing a human rights chief who he said criticizes democratic nations like the US and Israel while "cozying up to the world's worst oppressors".

He did not ‌elaborate.

[Volker Turk doesn't seem to be cozying up to Russia, N. Korea or Israel, anyway.]

Chad to join raft of withdrawals from International Criminal Court - military juntas happy to answer the US call to avoid accountability

Chad to join raft of withdrawals from International Criminal Court

Chad becomes the fifth country to withdraw from the ICC recently amid rising US pressure and accusations of bias.

The military government declared on Monday that Chad had begun the process to leave the court, which prosecutes war crimes and other violations of humanitarian law and is based in The Hague in the Netherlands.

Chad’s Foreign Ministry shared a statement on its official website saying that the decision to quit follows a request by Washington.

Chad’s decision follows neighbouring Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, which also have military governments.

[US client state[?] Venezuela is the fifth.]

See also (locked thread - please try to play nice in this one)

Filter

Forum statistics

Threads
5,889,796
Messages
65,589,818
Members
276,892
Latest member
Usingthisaccount123